A 36-year-old sailor who was caught with a pistol in his suitcase at the airport has been fined €750 and conditionally discharged for six months.

Oleksander Halkin, a Ukrainian, was stopped on Tuesday after security officers found the pistol in a suitcase which was meant to be loaded in the hold of the aircraft.

He admitted to the charge of importing a firearm when he had arrived in Malta by boat. He was on his way back to the Ukraine when he was a caught at the airport.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit fined him €750 and conditionally discharged him for six months.

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